The Ultimate Western Civilization Quiz!

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1. All of the following describe personal qualities that Roman admired except:

Explanation

Roman women were also expected to live up to social values, especially fidelity.

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About This Quiz
The Ultimate Western Civilization Quiz! - Quiz

Explore the roots of Western Civilization with this engaging quiz! Test your knowledge on ancient Roman culture, from the mos maiorum to the influence of the Etruscans, and... see morediscover key historical figures and practices that shaped early Roman society. see less

2. Where was the Romans' first province outside the Italian mainland? 

Explanation

The Romans gained control of Sicily as a result of the First Punic War, which ended in 241 B.C.E.

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3. Which of the following was expected of a wealthy Roman wife, but never of a Greek wife? 

Explanation

The Romans maintained the custom of having women present at dinner parties. In Greek tradition, wives were not allowed to attend dinner parties.

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4. Roman literature was largely inspired by __________________. 

Explanation

Roman literature was largely inspired by Greek and Hellenistic culture. The Romans admired and emulated Greek literature, incorporating their literary forms, genres, and themes into their own works. They were particularly influenced by Greek tragedians, poets, and philosophers. The Romans also drew inspiration from Hellenistic culture, which encompassed a fusion of Greek and Eastern influences. This cultural exchange allowed Roman writers to explore new ideas and perspectives, resulting in the development of a rich and diverse literary tradition.

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5. What were the two orders in Roman society during the republic? 

Explanation

Patricians and plebeians were the two main orders in Roman society during the republic.

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6. The ___________, or away of the ancestors,a were tried and true values that had been handed down in Roman tradition.

Explanation

The correct answer is "mos maiorum." Mos maiorum refers to the customs and traditions of the ancestors in Roman culture. These customs were considered tried and true values that had been passed down through generations. This term is often used to describe the traditional and conservative nature of Roman society, emphasizing the importance of respecting and following the customs of one's ancestors.

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7. What were the Lares in the Roman religion? 

Explanation

The Lares were connected with keeping the family well and its moral traditions alive. Every family maintained a small shrine in their household for them.

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8. In the Second Punic War, who led the Carthaginians in the bloodiest Roman loss in history at Cannae in 216 B.C.E.? 

Explanation

Hannibal (247-182 B.C.E.) made a famous crossing over the Alps with war elephants to attack Italy from the north. More than thirty thousand Roman soldiers were lost at Cannae.

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9. Which of the following best describes the Roman concept of authority and hierarchy? 

Explanation

The Romans believed that people of high birth were inherently better than people of lower birth. While this granted them many advantages, it also carried responsibility since they were expected to exemplify the personal qualities that Romans valued.

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10. What was Rome's first written law code? 

Explanation

The Twelve Tables were enacted sometime between 451 and 449 B.C.E. after a period of tension between the patricians and plebeians. They provided legal protections for the plebeians and guaranteed greater equality and social mobility.

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11. The highest officials in the republican government of Rome were:

Explanation

Becoming a consul was the crowning achievement of a lengthy political career in which a man worked his way up through a series of public offices. It bestowed high status on him and his descendants forever.

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12. All of the following describe Roman society by the time of Sulla's death except

Explanation

It was very common by the time of Sulla's death for former generals to hold high office. Sulla's rival Marius was consul an unprecedented six times.

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13. The great orator _____________ formed the doctrine of humanity, which emphasized an appreciation for the uniqueness of each person. 

Explanation

Cicero, the great orator, formed the doctrine of humanity, which emphasized an appreciation for the uniqueness of each person.

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14. Which of the following is not true about married women in Rome? 

Explanation

A Roman woman lived under her father's power for as long as he lived, even when she married. Once her father died, a woman became relatively independent.

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15. Which officials stopped actions that would harm plebeians and their property? 

Explanation

Tribunes were special officers elected by the Plebian Assembly to protect plebeians from ruthless patricians.

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16. Which of the following statements about Caesar's military background is false

Explanation

Although Caesar was extremely ambitious, it was Pompey who received a triumph at the age of twenty-three.

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17. Against what power did the Roman republic fight during the Punic Wars? 

Explanation

The three Punic Wars, which took place between 264 and 146 B.C.E., were between Rome and the Phoenician city of Carthage. Punic comes from the Roman word for Phoenicians, Punici, the ancestors of the Carthaginians.

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18. The degree of influence of the  ____________ over the development of Rome is currently in considerable dispute. 

Explanation

The degree of influence of the Etruscans over the development of Rome is currently in considerable dispute.

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19. In 71 B.C.E. Pompey put down a massive slave rebellion led by __________ that involved 100,000 escaped slaves. 

Explanation

In 71 B.C.E., Pompey suppressed a significant slave uprising led by Spartacus, which included around 100,000 escaped slaves. Spartacus, a gladiator and former soldier, organized a formidable rebellion against the Roman Republic. The revolt lasted for several years and posed a major threat to Roman authority. However, Pompey's forces eventually defeated Spartacus and his followers, marking the end of the rebellion.

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20. After conquering Italian lands around Rome, authorities typically: 

Explanation

Although they sometimes enslaved Italian peoples or confiscated some of their lands, Roman authorities typically attempted to turn conquered Italian peoples into partners in Roman expansion, inviting them into citizenship and compelling them to provide soldiers for future conquests.

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21. The First Triumvirate included all of the following people except

Explanation

Sulla (c. 138-78 B.C.E.) died before the First Triumvirate was formed in 60 B.C.E.

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22. Proscription involved: 

Explanation

Proscription was a tactic employed by Sulla to increase his political power. It involved listing traitors and authorizing their death as well as the confiscation of their property. It was used to confiscate the wealth of political opponents.

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23. What was the tactic used by the plebeians to pressure the patricians into making concessions? 

Explanation

This tactic, called succession, was effective because the army depended on the military service of the plebeians, as the patricians were not numerous enough to defend Rome by themselves.

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24. What action of Gaius Marius had the most dire implications for Rome? 

Explanation

Previously, only men with property would enroll in the army. Now men who owned virtually nothing could follow a successful general in the hope of acquiring war booty and a grant of land to retire on, binding them more closely to their general than to Rome.

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25. What was unusual about Pompey being rewarded the supreme honor of a triumph after the civil war in 83 B.C.E.? 

Explanation

Pompey was only twenty-three at the time and had never held public office. His being granted a triumph shattered an ancient tradition of the republic.

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26. _________ was the chief deity of the Romans, corresponding to the Greek god Zeus. 

Explanation

Jupiter was the chief deity of the Romans, corresponding to the Greek god Zeus. In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of the gods and the god of the sky and thunder. He was considered the most powerful deity and was associated with justice, authority, and protection. This parallel between Jupiter and Zeus can be seen in their similar roles and attributes, making Jupiter the correct answer.

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27. Which of the following was expected of a wealthy Roman wife, but never of a Greek wife? 

Explanation

The Romans maintained the custom of having women present at dinner parties. In Greek tradition, wives were not allowed to attend dinner parties.

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28. The _______ tended the eternal flame that guaranteed the state's permanent existence and formed Rome's only female priesthood. 

Explanation

The Vestal Virgins were responsible for tending the eternal flame that symbolized the everlasting existence of the state and were the only female priesthood in Rome. They were chosen as young girls and dedicated themselves to a life of chastity and service to the goddess Vesta. The Vestal Virgins played a crucial role in maintaining the religious and social order of Rome and were highly respected in society.

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29. The social-reforming Gracchi brothers were from the upper class and both served as ______________. 

Explanation

The Gracchi brothers were from the upper class and served as tribunes. Tribunes were officials in ancient Rome who were elected to represent the interests of the plebeians, or common people, and had the power to veto laws and protect the rights of the lower classes. The Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius, were known for their social reforms aimed at improving the lives of the poor and addressing issues such as land distribution and unemployment. They were both tribunes and used their positions to push for these reforms, making them social-reforming figures in ancient Rome.

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30. All of the following are true of Roman educational practices except:

Explanation

Roman education emphasized preparation for public life, and public speaking was an important part of this. Since women were excluded from public life, public speaking was not considered necessary for a girl's education.

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31. Who according to legend was the last king of the Romans? 

Explanation

According to legend, Rome had seven kings; the last of who was Tarquin the Proud who was driven out of the city after his son raped a noblewoman.

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32. What is meant by mos maiorum

Explanation

Romans had a profound respect for tradition and believed that the values by which they lived-the mos maiorum - had been handed down from ancient times.

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33. The head of state religion and the ultimate authority on religious matters affecting government was: 

Explanation

The Pontifex Maximus ("highest priest") was the most important religious official in Rome. The political powers of this priesthood motivated Rome's most prominent men to seek it.

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34. What was a latifundia

Explanation

Latifundia appeared during the Punic Wars as wealthy Romans bought up the land of smaller farmers who had become impoverished by being away from their farms for so long to fight during lengthy campaigns. During these wars, slaves became plentiful, which reduced the work available to Roman freemen.

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35. Which of the following was not one of the ways in which Julius Caesar gained support in Rome? 

Explanation

Caesar challenged the authority of the Senate by refusing to disband his army in 49 B.C.E. and starting a civil war.

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36. The ________ were elected by the plebeians to protect their interests against patrician domination. 

Explanation

The tribunes were elected by the plebeians to protect their interests against patrician domination. They were responsible for representing the plebeians and had the power to veto any decision made by the patricians. The tribunes played a crucial role in the Roman Republic as they ensured that the plebeians had a voice in the government and were not oppressed by the patricians.

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37. Which of the following turned the tide in the Romans' favor during the Second Punic War? 

Explanation

The Roman general Scipio invaded the Carthaginians' homeland and defeated them.

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38. Which assembly became the republic's most important institution for making policy and passing laws? 

Explanation

The Tribal Assembly, which was created soon after the Plebeian Assembly, included both patricians and plebeians and grouped voters by domicile. In it, the plebeians outnumbered the patricians.

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39. Senators with legal expertise offered advice as ___________ in legal cases, operating as private citizens rather than officials. 

Explanation

Jurists are individuals with legal expertise who provide advice in legal cases. They operate as private citizens rather than officials, meaning that they are not part of the government or holding any official position. Therefore, they can offer their expertise and guidance in a non-official capacity, providing valuable insights and recommendations in legal matters.

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40. The Romans finally won the Second Punic War when ____________ invaded the Carthaginian homeland in 202 B.C.E. 

Explanation

Scipio invaded the Carthaginian homeland in 202 B.C.E. and this led to the Romans finally winning the Second Punic War.

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41. All of the following accurately describe the Roman Senate except:

Explanation

Romans believed that prestige should be visible. Senators distinguished themselves from everyone else with special clothing, wearing a broad purple stripe on their robes.

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42. After the 196 B.C.E. Roman proclamation of the "freedom of the Greeks," why did the Greeks think they were free, while the Romans thought the Greeks were their clients? 

Explanation

The Romans assumed that the Greeks would behave as clients of Rome, while the Greeks thought that they had gained their freedom. After decades of resisting Roman intervention, Macedonia and Greece became a Roman province in 146 B.C.E.

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43. The legendary first king of Rome, ______, devised the plan to steal the Sabine women and make them Roman wives. 

Explanation

Romulus is the correct answer because he is known as the legendary first king of Rome. According to the ancient Roman myth, Romulus devised a plan to abduct the Sabine women in order to increase the population of Rome with Roman wives. This event, known as the "Rape of the Sabine Women," played a significant role in the foundation and early history of Rome.

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44. The ___________ were former consuls who were elected every five years to elect new senators. 

Explanation

Censors were former consuls who were elected every five years to elect new senators. They were responsible for conducting the census, maintaining public morality, and overseeing public finances. Their role was crucial in the Roman Republic as they had the power to remove senators from office and assess the social status of citizens.

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45. Who sacked Rome in 387 B.C.E., providing only a temporary military setback but leaving the Romans fearful of foreign invasion? 

Explanation

Marauding Gauls sacked Rome in 387 B.C.E.

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46. Sulla gained supreme power by putting down a rebellion in________. 

Explanation

Sulla gained supreme power by putting down a rebellion in Italy. This suggests that there was a rebellion in Italy that Sulla successfully suppressed, allowing him to establish his authority and gain supreme power.

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47. Patria potestas gave a father all of the following powers except

Explanation

The father of a household did not have the same absolute power over his wife as he had over his slaves, children, and children's property. Roman women remained under the authority of their fathers when they married and became relatively independent when their fathers died.

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48. The _________or knights were landowners who in the late republic were wealthy businessmen. 

Explanation

The Equites, also known as knights, were landowners who were wealthy businessmen during the late republic. They held a significant amount of economic and political power, and were considered part of the Roman elite. The Equites class was distinct from the senatorial class, and they played a crucial role in Roman society and politics.

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49. Gaius Marius was most popular with the ___________. 

Explanation

Gaius Marius was most popular with the Proletarians. The Proletarians were the lowest class of Roman citizens, consisting of the landless poor who relied on the state for their livelihood. Marius, a Roman general and statesman, gained popularity among the Proletarians by promising them land and military rewards. He implemented reforms that allowed the Proletarians to serve in the Roman army, which provided them with a means of social mobility and economic stability. Marius's support from the Proletarians played a significant role in his rise to power and political success.

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50. The obligations required of patrons and clients are described by all of the following except:

Explanation

Clients were often expected to lend money to their patrons to support their political endeavors. When a patron held public office, his clients lent him money to help him pay for the public works projects that were expected of him. Clients also helped their patron pay for dowries when his daughters married.

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51. Which of the following statements does not accurately describe Tiberius Gracchus? 

Explanation

Tiberius Gracchus was from an illustrious patrician family.

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52. Pompey and Caesar cooperated until: 

Explanation

As long as Julia lived, Pompey and Caesar avoided outright conflict. When she died in childbirth in 54 B.C.E., the rivalry between the two men soon became an open civil war.

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53. Which of the following best describes a client army? 

Explanation

Client armies appeared when powerful generals like Marius eliminated the property requirement for soldiers under his command. Because their self-interests were bound to their general's fortune, they were more loyal to him than to the state.

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54. The Romans had their bloodiest loss ever when Hannibal defeated them at ___________ during the Second Punic War. 

Explanation

During the Second Punic War, the Romans suffered their bloodiest loss ever at Cannae. This battle took place in 216 BC and was fought between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian army led by Hannibal. Hannibal's tactical brilliance and the use of double envelopment strategy resulted in a devastating defeat for the Romans. The Carthaginians were able to encircle and annihilate a much larger Roman army, causing massive casualties. This victory gave Hannibal a significant advantage in the war and demonstrated the effectiveness of his unconventional tactics.

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55. _______ wrote poems that ridiculed politicians for their sexual behavior. 

Explanation

Catullus wrote poems that ridiculed politicians for their sexual behavior. He was a Roman poet known for his sharp and satirical writing style. His poems often targeted prominent figures in Roman society, including politicians, and mocked them for their personal indiscretions. Catullus was known for his bold and provocative language, and his poems were considered scandalous and controversial during his time.

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56. Why were the displaced and rural poor who moved to Rome a dangerous element in Roman society? 

Explanation

As the population of the urban poor grew, the threat of an explosive situation intensified because the urban poor supported any politician who promised to address their needs and the state had to feed them in order to prevent riots.

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57. According to legend, the kings of Rome were overthrown when _________was raped by the son of King Tarquin the Proud. 

Explanation

Lucretia was raped by the son of King Tarquin the Proud, which led to the overthrow of the kings of Rome. This event is significant in Roman history as it sparked a rebellion against the monarchy and ultimately led to the establishment of the Roman Republic.

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58. The Romans adopted all of the following features from Etruscan culture except:

Explanation

The Romans adopted many religious practices and symbols of political power from the Etruscans, but they did not adopt a Republican form of government from them.

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59. In Rome, freed slaves: 

Explanation

Freed slaves automatically became clients for life of the masters who freed them and often passed this relationship on to their children.

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60. How did the king of Pergamum contribute to the expansion of Roman power? 

Explanation

The king of Pergamum left his kingdom to Rome in his will in 133 B.C.E.

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61. The _______ festival honored the Italian deity of liberation and temporarily inverted the social order by having masters act as waiters to their slaves at a banquet.

Explanation

Saturnalia was a festival in ancient Rome that honored the Italian deity of liberation, Saturn. During this festival, the social order was temporarily inverted, and masters would act as waiters to their slaves at a banquet. Therefore, Saturnalia is the correct answer.

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All of the following describe personal qualities that Roman admired...
Where was the Romans' first province outside the Italian...
Which of the following was expected of a wealthy Roman wife, but never...
Roman literature was largely inspired by __________________. 
What were the two orders in Roman society during the republic? 
The ___________, or away of the ancestors,a were tried and true values...
What were the Lares in the Roman religion? 
In the Second Punic War, who led the Carthaginians in the bloodiest...
Which of the following best describes the Roman concept of authority...
What was Rome's first written law code? 
The highest officials in the republican government of Rome were:
All of the following describe Roman society by the time of Sulla's...
The great orator _____________ formed the doctrine of humanity, which...
Which of the following is not true about married women in Rome? 
Which officials stopped actions that would harm plebeians and their...
Which of the following statements about Caesar's military...
Against what power did the Roman republic fight during the Punic...
The degree of influence of the  ____________ over the development...
In 71 B.C.E. Pompey put down a massive slave rebellion led by...
After conquering Italian lands around Rome, authorities...
The First Triumvirate included all of the following people...
Proscription involved: 
What was the tactic used by the plebeians to pressure the patricians...
What action of Gaius Marius had the most dire implications for...
What was unusual about Pompey being rewarded the supreme honor of a...
_________ was the chief deity of the Romans, corresponding to the...
Which of the following was expected of a wealthy Roman wife, but never...
The _______ tended the eternal flame that guaranteed the state's...
The social-reforming Gracchi brothers were from the upper class and...
All of the following are true of Roman educational practices except:
Who according to legend was the last king of the Romans? 
What is meant by mos maiorum? 
The head of state religion and the ultimate authority on religious...
What was a latifundia? 
Which of the following was not one of the ways in which Julius Caesar...
The ________ were elected by the plebeians to protect their interests...
Which of the following turned the tide in the Romans' favor during...
Which assembly became the republic's most important institution...
Senators with legal expertise offered advice as ___________ in legal...
The Romans finally won the Second Punic War when ____________ invaded...
All of the following accurately describe the Roman Senate except:
After the 196 B.C.E. Roman proclamation of the "freedom of the...
The legendary first king of Rome, ______, devised the plan to steal...
The ___________ were former consuls who were elected every five years...
Who sacked Rome in 387 B.C.E., providing only a temporary military...
Sulla gained supreme power by putting down a rebellion...
Patria potestas gave a father all of the following powers...
The _________or knights were landowners who in the late republic were...
Gaius Marius was most popular with the ___________. 
The obligations required of patrons and clients are described by all...
Which of the following statements does not accurately describe...
Pompey and Caesar cooperated until: 
Which of the following best describes a client army? 
The Romans had their bloodiest loss ever when Hannibal defeated them...
_______ wrote poems that ridiculed politicians for their sexual...
Why were the displaced and rural poor who moved to Rome a dangerous...
According to legend, the kings of Rome were overthrown when...
The Romans adopted all of the following features from Etruscan culture...
In Rome, freed slaves: 
How did the king of Pergamum contribute to the expansion of Roman...
The _______ festival honored the Italian deity of liberation and...
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